How Frank Lampard can help Manchester City win the Premier League

Frank Lampard's six-month loan deal to Manchester City is one of the most surprising moves of the transfer window, and it could be one of the most influential in the Premier League title race.

The Chelsea legend delivered time and time again for his club on the biggest stage in both domestic and European competition, and will now play a part as City look to defend the title.

At 36 years of age, Lampard is certainly at the tail end of his career and he will play out his final years in the relatively tranquil MLS.

But he still has plenty to give. Here are the areas that Lampard can help Manuel Pelligrini's side.

Apps

Touches / apps

Pass accuracy (%)

Chances created

Shots

Shots on target

Goals

Assists

Frank Lampard

26

52.69

82.39

34

57

24

6

3

Goals from midfield

Throughout his career Lampard has guaranteed one thing - that he will score goals from the middle of the park. Despite making his fewest appearances in a season since 2010, he still netted six times in 2013-14 and recorded ten consecutive seasons with double-figure scoring from 2003-2013.

Chelsea's all-time leading goalscorer has a knack for being in front of the goal at the right time, and it would not be surprising at all if he bagged a couple of crucial match winners for Manchester City next season.

Chance creation

Lampard scores most of his goals by making late runs into the box, and his ability to do so also sees him create plenty of scoring opportunities for his teammates.

He laid on 34 chances in 26 appearances last season, and his tally of just three assists would surely have been greater if he had City's strikeforce at his disposal as opposed to the beleaguered Chelsea trio of Fernando Torres, Demba Ba and Samuel Eto'o.

Along with John Terry, Lampard was the heart and soul of title-winning Chelsea teams under Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti. While he may be in decline on the pitch, he remains a huge force off it and is one of the most experienced players in the Premier League. Mourinho once called Lampard "the best professional ever", and he is sure to be a calming presence in the Manchester City dressing room over the first few months of the 2014-15 campaign.

Jack Green

I'm Jack, an English Literature graduate from London, trained in journalism at the Press Association. I'm passionate about European football, particularly the Premier League and La Liga. I also love watching and writing about basketball, American football and boxing.